Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador called for a sweeping UN reform. He believes the body needs shaking up to address global issues.
He believes the UN should launch a worldwide plan against poverty and inequality.
Such a plan would involve global organizations like the World Bank and IMF, as well as wealthy individuals.
López Obrador highlighted the urgency as migration rates soar.
Specifically, crossings from Mexico to the U.S. have surged recently. U.S. border patrols saw an uptick in detentions over the past three months.
In August alone, they detained 232,972 individuals at the southern U.S. border.
According to the president, the UN’s scope should extend beyond just migration. He insists the body should also tackle political conflicts and power struggles.
He pointed out that his calls for change, made at a 2021 UN meeting, were largely ignored.
Finally, he stated that we need greater collaboration in the Americas while respecting national sovereignty.
Background UN and Mexico
The call for UN reform isn’t new. Various leaders and experts have, over the years, questioned its effectiveness.
However, López Obrador’s focus on a worldwide anti-poverty plan adds a unique dimension. This reflects Mexico’s own challenges with poverty and migration, particularly to the U.S.
Historically, the UN has faced criticism for being too slow to adapt to global changes. Moreover, a few powerful nations often view it as heavily influenced.
Yet, it remains the most comprehensive international body for diplomacy and peacekeeping.
As a developing nation, Mexico often bears the brunt of issues like poverty and migration.
Therefore, López Obrador’s call represents not just a national perspective but possibly a viewpoint from other similar nations as well.